October is always a month I look forward to every year, primarily because of Halloween. I love seeing all of the different costumes and trying to guess what is going to be popular each year. Initially, my guess for this year was either Superman or Minecraft, due to the new movies that were released this year, but I have a feeling it’s going to be K-Pop Demon Hunters. I don’t think there is a single human on the planet that doesn’t know about them yet…LOL. Well, at least as far as kids, anyways. That’s one of the good things about my job. If for some reason I don’t know what’s popular at the moment, it’s not long until I’m ‘educated’ about such things. LOL (I’m still trying to figure out why 6-7 is so popular). By the way, does anyone know where one can find K-Pop Demon Hunter stickers? Asking for a friend. 😉 This year, October has been extra exciting for me. In addition to some wonderful changes in my personal life, we’ve had some exciting things happening within the music school setting. Student registration is now at full capacity (thank you, Ivy and Kendall), we’ve been officially nominated for 2 business awards, and of course the most exciting of them all, our first student recital!! Yes, October, 2025 is a huge win, all around. Here’s what we have for this month…..
- Recital Roundup
- Reader’s Choice Awards Nominations
- Pet Corner
- Cross Country Awards
- This Month In Music History
- Student Of The Month
Recital Roundup
I know I sent out a personal email to everyone the day after the recital, but there are a few things to reiterate in the recital roundup. I can’t stop saying just how proud I am of all of the students, including those that did not perform this year, which were only two. As I said in my opening remarks at the recital, this is the first time in my teaching career that the majority of my students started with absolutely no prior music education. Now, everyone can read music, can play their instruments efficiently for their current levels of knowledge, and continue to amaze me with their talents, eagerness to learn additional songs separate from their lesson book material, and the continued dedication. I kept fighting back tears, and at times wiping them away, because I was so impressed with the talent that was being showcased and I kept thinking, “Wow, these are my students.” Seeing everyone perform is so much different than in lessons and seeing how much courage everyone had to perform in front of an audience was incredible. I’ve performed solo works as a concert clarinetist with the Hamilton Philharmonic, and toured North and South America with coporate bands as a keyboardist, and I can honestly say that our recital this year is now my career highlight. What amazed me as well was how supportive everyone was for each other. Everyone applauded not only at the conclusion of each performance, but as each performer was introduced. It was really special to see. This is by far the best group of students I’ve ever taught, the best memories being made, and the best music parents I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Thank you again for being wonderful people and continuing to trust me with you, and your children, as their music teacher and friend. Here’s a few pictures that were provided…….
Reader’s Choice Awards Nominations
Yes, it is now official. We have been nominated for ‘Best Music Instruction’ and ‘Best Music Instructor’ for the 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards. I’m sending a VERY BIG thanks to everyone for initially voting in those categories to secure the nominations, and also for your final votes that you placed once we were nominated. We still have a bit of a wait until we find out the results. Results will be posted on December, 4th, 2025 and I’m not sure what happens after that if we secure the win, but I’ll be sure to keep everyone posted. Thank you again!
Pet Corner
Last month we began one of our new features for the monthly newsletter, our ‘Pet Corner’, to feature one of the many pets I see on a weekly basis. This month our featured pet is, Bijou!! No, not Bruce’s dog, Bijoux, that was in his Student Of The Month photo in June, but Bijou the Cat!!
Bijou belongs to, Pamela, who you may remember from our recital. Pamela performed ‘Fandango’ and was responsible for everyone chanting for me to dance to her song after she made the sugesstion (thanks again for that, Pamela…lol). When I first started teaching, Pamela, Bijou was never to be found. Now, I find her either in her cat tree or in the basket pictured above, both of which are located in the piano room. Pamela also gives me treats to give Bijou, so I’m pretty sure that’s the only reason I see her now during Pamela’s lessons…LOL
Cross Country Awards
As always, I love to feature our student’s achievements and accomplishments outside of the music school, or outside of music in general. Recently, Liana, received 3rd place in the 2025-26 Cross Country at Ridley College!! Congrats, Liana!!!
In addition, this coming weekend (November 1st) I’ve been invited by Liana and her family to see her in the lead role as Wendy, in Ridley College’s evening performance of, Peter Pan and Wendy. You may also recall that some of Liana’s incredible artwork was featured in the June newsletter. Her artistic talents were once again put to use as she also created the poster artwok for the play!!
This Month In Music History
JAZZ
- Duke Ellington and bassist Jimmy Blanton record Pitter Panther Patter (Oct. 1, 1940)
- Guitarist Charlie Christian records his first record with clarinetist, Benny Goodman (Oct. 2, 1939)
- Pianist and composer, Dave Brubeck, records All The Things We Are (Oct. 3, 1974)
- Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke records Jazz Me Blues with his group (Oct. 5, 1927)
- Louis Armstrong records for the first time with Fletcher Henderson’s band (Oct. 7, 1924)
- Pianist and composer, Thelonious Monk, records Ba-lue-Bolivar-Ba-lues-are with tenor saxophonist, Sonny Rollins (Oct. 9, 1956)
- Singer Billie Holiday stages a comeback concert at Carnegie Hall (Oct. 10, 1956)
- Pianist and composer, Thelonius Monk, is born (Oct. 9, 1917)
- Drummer and bandleader, Art Blakey, is born (Oct. 11, 1919)
- Pianist Art Tatum is born (Oct. 13, 1909)
- Pianist and composer, Thelonius Monk, makes his first recording as a group leader (Oct. 15, 1947)
- Trumpet player, Wynton Marsalis, is born. (Oct. 18, 1961)
- Clarinetist, Eddie Daniels, is born. (Oct. 19, 1941)
- Pianist and composer, Jelly Roll Morton, is born. (Oct. 20, 1890)
- Trumpet player, Dizzy Gillespie, is born. (Oct. 21, 1917)
- Alto Saxophonist, Charlie Parker, records Embraceable You. (Oct. 29, 1947)
- Composer and arrange, Neal Hefti, is born. (Oct. 29, 1922)
- Trumpet player, Clifford Brown, is born. (Oct. 30, 1930)
CLASSICAL
- This section will return in the November newsletter.
Student Of The Month
Our Student Of The Month for October, 2025 is, Bennie!!
If you attended our recital this month, our Student Of The Month shouldn’t be a stranger to you. Bennie was the final student to perform, closing out the recital by playing Shaun Martin’s awesome composition titled, ‘The Yellow Jacket’. Bennie is one of my piano students and has been learning from the Faber Piano Adventures For The Older Beginner series of books. His musical talents don’t stop at the piano, as he also plays the trumpet in school and some percussion at his church.
Bennie received his framed Student Of The Month certificate, and is featured in this months newsletter as well as on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and on the school website when the newsletter is posted there.
Congrats, Bennie!!
Coda
That’s a wrap for this month! As mentioned above, the classical section for the music history section will return next month with the promised focus on Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Ode To Joy). I really need to condense my knowledge of the 9th down to an acceptable newsletter length (yeah, goodluck to me with that…lol). Please have a very safe, and Happy Halloween on Friday evening, take lots of photos for the November newsletter for me, and don’t forget, I love Caramilk Bars and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups….Just saying. 😉
Socials & Where To Find Us!
- Web: https://www.doansom.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADOANSOM
- Twitter (now ‘X’): https://twitter.com/alexander_doan
- Google Reviews if you would like to leave a review: https://g.page/r/CbNrxK_Veae6EB0/review
Alexander Doan School of Music 